Synonyms of swing

swing 1 of 2

verb

ˈswiŋ 

1

as in to deviate

to change one's course or direction

thinking that we were being followed, we abruptly swung to the left at the next intersection

swing right at James St.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deviate
• turn
• wheel
• veer
• diverge
• turn off
• sheer
• swerve
• detour
• tack
• zigzag
• turn back
• double (back)

2

as in to turn

to change the course or direction of (something)

at the sound of gunfire, the cavalry officer swung his horse around and galloped rapidly back to the fort

Synonyms & Similar Words

• turn
• whip
• shift
• move
• deflect
• wheel
• veer
• redirect
• divert
• whirl
• switch
• swivel
• curve
• sway
• deviate
• shunt
• twist
• avert
• swerve
• transfer
• reverse
• bend
• zigzag
• rechannel
• turn back
• sidetrack

3

as in to manipulate

to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently

a man who's able to swing two full-time jobs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• manipulate
• handle
• manage
• address
• take
• negotiate
• treat
• play
• maneuver
• field
• cope (with)
• contend (with)
• hack
• grapple (with)
• pull
• come to grips with
• carry out
• control
• have a grip on
• get off
• carry off
• engineer
• steer
• regulate
• guide
• finesse
• direct
• jockey
• respond (to)
• react (to)
• bring off
• run
• command
• micromanage

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fumble
• botch
• bungle
• goof (up)
• scamp
• muff
• mess (up)
• mishandle
• louse up
• foozle

4

as in to rotate

to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis

he swung the bat as hard as he could but he missed the ball

don't let the wind swing that gate shut

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rotate
• spin
• twirl
• turn
• twist
• swivel
• pivot
• swirl
• roll
• wheel
• whirl
• revolve
• screw
• wind
• crank
• unscrew
• coil
• reel
• twiddle
• circulate

5

as in to hang

to place on an elevated point without support from below

beach towels swung up to dry on the lifeguard's high chair

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hang
• sling
• dangle
• hook
• suspend
• string
• pin
• mount
• drape
• extend (out)
• tack
• project
• balance
• protrude
• stick out
• cascade
• overhang
• fall
• depend
• jut
• garland
• festoon
• poise

6

as in to afford

to have enough money for

I don't think that we can swing that hefty a mortgage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• afford
• go
• get
• pay (for)
• purchase
• obtain
• take
• cover
• finance
• acquire
• secure
• expend
• spring (for)
• procure
• offer
• pick up
• bid
• pony up
• outlay
• underwrite
• subsidize
• bankroll
• endow

swing

2 of 2

noun

1

as in licence

Related Words

• licence
• license
• rein
• leeway
• slack
• wiggle room
• space
• latitude

2

as in movement

Related Words

• movement
• rhythm
• sway
• meter
• lilt
• cadence
• stress
• accent
• beat
• emphasis
• measure
• accentuation
• inflection
• intonation
• drum
• throb
• backbeat
• trimeter
• tetrameter
• pentameter
• hexameter

3

as in shift

Related Words

• shift
• curve
• turn
• drift
• wind
• tide
• downside
• trend
• direction
• run
• current
• tendency
• upside
• turnabout
• leaning
• custom
• propensity
• tenor
• habit
• way
• countertrend
• countercurrent
• undertow
• undercurrent

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb swing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of swing are fluctuate, oscillate, sway, undulate, vibrate, and waver. While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

When might fluctuate be a better fit than swing?

Although the words fluctuate and swing have much in common, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

When is it sensible to use oscillate instead of swing?

The words oscillate and swing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

When could sway be used to replace swing?

While in some cases nearly identical to swing, sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

When can undulate be used instead of swing?

In some situations, the words undulate and swing are roughly equivalent. However, undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

Where would vibrate be a reasonable alternative to swing?

The meanings of vibrate and swing largely overlap; however, vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

In what contexts can waver take the place of swing?

While the synonyms waver and swing are close in meaning, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of swing

Verb

That was the momentum swing that cost the Saints most significantly in a frustrating road loss. —The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025

Cowboys and the conservative swing The last time Keegin recalls this level of cowboy costuming was the late 1990s, toward the end of the Clinton administration. —Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025

Noun

While the percentage of Americans who have ACA marketplace health insurance is small, the share could be large enough to swing a close election, KFF reported in October. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025

Very little of Kiss’ music could be considered jazzy, but drummer Peter Criss, a Gene Krupa aficionado, could swing the band when the occasion called for it. —A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025